To be - Positive Sentences & Contractions

Full Forms of the verb to be

Iama student.

Heisa teacher.

Sheisa journalist.

Itisa book.

Wearemechanics.

Youarepilots.

Theyarepolicemen.

Contracted forms of the verb to be

Iama student.

Heisa teacher.

Sheisa journalist.

Itisa book.

Wearemechanics.

Youarepilots.

Theyarepolicemen.

The verb to be - exercise

Chose the correct form of the verb to be - am/is/are.Top of Form1. It cold today.2. I at home now.3. They Korean.4. There a pen on the desk.5. My name Nikita.6. We from Ukraine.7. That right.8. I OK, thanks.9. Clara and Steve married.10. She an English teacher.Bottom of Form

To be - negative forms and contractions

Full negative forms of the verb to be

Iam nota singer.

Heis nota receptionist.

Sheis nota nurse.

Itis notmy book.

Weare notnot musicians.

Youare nota shop assistant.

Theyare nottaxi drivers.

Contracted negative forms of the verb to be

I'm nota singer.

Heisn'ta receptionist.

Sheisn'ta nurse.

Itisn'tmy book.

Wearen'tnot musicians.

Youaren'ta shop assistant.

Theyaren'ttaxi drivers.

Negative forms of the verb to be - exercise

Complete the gaps with the negative forms of the verb to be.Example: She from France.Top of Form1. This book mine. 2. Jane and Peter married. 3. That right. 4. My brother here at the moment. 5. We in England. 6. It Monday today. 7. Jennie's surname Peters. 8. I a hairdresser. 9. My name Alexander. 10. There many people in this class.

The verb to be - yes / no questions

AmIright?

Ishehere?

Isshea nurse?

Isitsecond-hand?

Arewewrong?

AreyouAlan Parker?

AretheyAmerican?

Yes / no questions with the verb to be - exercise

Fill in the gaps with the correct form of the verb to be - am, is, are.Top of Form1. Jane and Alice sisters?2. this car yours?3. I in your way?4. Maria John's sister?5. you twenty-five years old?6. the Smiths divorced?7. this your new bicycle?The verb to be - Information questions

Full negative forms of the verb to be

Iam nota singer.

Heis nota receptionist.

Sheis nota nurse.

Itis notmy book.

Weare notnot musicians.

Youare nota shop assistant.

Theyare nottaxi drivers.

Contracted negative forms of the verb to be

I'm nota singer.

Heisn'ta receptionist.

Sheisn'ta nurse.

Itisn'tmy book.

Wearen'tnot musicians.

Youaren'ta shop assistant.

Theyaren'ttaxi drivers.

Negative forms of the verb to be - exercise

Complete the gaps with the negative forms of the verb to be.Example: She from France.Top of Form1. This book mine. 2. Jane and Peter married. 3. That right. 4. My brother here at the moment. 5. We in England. 6. It Monday today. 7. Jennie's surname Peters. 8. I a hairdresser. 9. My name Alexander. 10. There many people in this class.

The Present Continuous Tense - When to use

1. We use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening now.Examples The kids are watching TV. I am sitting down, because I am tired. I am not learning German, because this is an English class. Who are you writing to? 2. We can also use the Present Continuous Tense to talk about activities happening around now, and not necessarily this very moment.Examples Sally is studying really hard for her exams this week. I am reading a really interesting book now. How are you brushing up on your English for the trip? We aren't working hard these days. 3. The Present Continuous Tense is also used to talk about activities happening in the near future, especially for planned future events.Examples I am seeing my dentist on Wednesday. Polly is coming for dinner tomorrow. Are you doing anything tonight? We aren't going on holiday next week.

Present Continuous - Practice

What uses of the Present Continuous Tense do these sentences have?Top of Form1. I am playing football tonight. 2. I can't play with you now. I am finishing my homework. 3. Where are you studying? 4. What are you doing these days? Working? 5. Sally is taking a bath. 6. What are you doing at the weekend? 7. Peter and Mary are going out. They met at Adam's party last week. The Present Continuous and Present Simple Tenses

1. Permanent (usual) and Temporary (now, around now) actions. We use the Present Continuous tense to speak about things which are happening now or things which are temporary.

I am not working now. I am on holiday.Sally is listening to a new CD.Who are you phoning? The Present Simple tense describes usual, repeated and permanent things - for example, always, usually, often, sometimes, never.

I work as an accountant.John doesn't know German.How often do you play tennis? Compare how these two tenses are used.

Why are you walking to work? Don't you usually go by bus?I live in Kharkiv, but now I am living in Moscow.Usually we have dinner at 7, but today we are having it at 9.2. Some verbs are not normally used in the Continuous Tense. They are called "state" verbs. If you need to practice such verbs, visit EnglishActionandStateVerbs page. 3. Present Continuous and Present Simple to talk about the future. We use the Present Continuous Tense for plans and arrangements.

What are you doing tonight?I'm seeing a very important customer in my office at 4 o'clock.We are going to the see for our holiday.Where are you staying in Vienna?I'm not going anywhere. It is final. We use the Present Simple in the conditional clauses after if,when, as soon as, until etc, and when we talk about timetable, schedules, itineraries etc.

What will you do if you fail your exam?We will wait, until she comes.

My plane takes off at 9.00.The President arrives in Norway on 17 September.What time does your train leave?

Present Continuous and Simple - Practice

Put the verb in brackets in the correct form, either the Present Simple Tense or the Present Continuous Tense.Top of Form1. I a very interesting book.2. Joanne eight hours a day.3. Tonight we a play at the thereatre.4. Who to?5. I him very well.6. What will you do if she late?7. My wife coffee for breakfast.8. What for breakfast?9. Your train at 17.25 from platform 3.10. What ? She's a student.The Present Perfect Tense - When to use

1. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experiences. It is important if we have done it in our lives or not. It is not important when we did it.Examples I have been abroad two times. Anna has never broken a leg. Have you ever eaten sushi? Tip! We often use never and ever with the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experience.2. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about an action which started in the past and continuous up to now.Examples I have been a teacher for more than ten years. We haven't seen Janine since Friday. How long have you been at this school? Tip! We often use since and for to say how long the action has lasted.3. We also use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about a past action that has the result in the present.Examples I have lost my wallet. = I don't have it now. Jimmy has gone to South America. = He isn't here now. Have you finished your homework? = Is your homework ready? Tip! We often use just, already and yet with the Present Perfect Tense for an action in the past with the result in the present.

Uses of the Present Perfect - Practice

Exercise: chose for or since.Top of Form1. You have broken my watch! 2. I have never been to Paris. 3. How long have you been here? 4. Angela has bought a new flat. 5. How many times have you been married? 6. We haven't worked on a farm. 7. This building has been an office since 1998. Present Perfect Tense - Already and Yet

Already means that something happened earlier than we expected. With Present Perfect already usually goes after have or has and before the main verb.Examples

- We've already had our breakfast.

- When are you going to do your homework?- But I've already done it!

- Do you want a cup of coffee?- No, thanks. I've already had one." Yet means that something that we expected has happened or hasn't happened. We usually put it at the end of a sentence.Examples

- Has the post arrived yet?

- Have you done your homework?- Not yet.

- Haven't you got ready yet? Look at the time!

Already and Yet with Present Perfect Tense - Practice

Exercise. Do we use for or since with the following time references?Top of Form I haven't phoned home Christmas. We've been here nine o'clock. I have worked for International House more than eight years. I haven't visited my home town I left school. I haven't been to the cinema ages. I have studied non-stop 9.15. I have had a driving licence I was eighteen. She hasn't had a day off 1999. Johan has been in England more than two weeks now. Peter has been my best friend we were nine. Present Perfect Tense - For and Since

We use Present Perfect tense to talk about action which started in the past and continues up to the present.Examples I have had this computer for about a year. How long have you been at this school? I haven't seen Julia since September. Tip! For other uses of the Present Perfect tense, see the Present Perfect Tense - When To Use.We use for with a period of time, for example: a few days, half an hour, two years. We use since with the time when the action started, for example: last year, June 8, I met you.

For or Since with Present Perfect Tense - Practice

Exercise. Do we use for or since with the following time references?Top of Form I haven't phoned home Christmas. We've been here nine o'clock. I have worked for International House more than eight years. I haven't visited my home town I left school. I haven't been to the cinema ages. I have studied non-stop 9.15. I have had a driving licence I was eighteen. She hasn't had a day off 1999. Johan has been in England more than two weeks now. Peter has been my best friend we were nine.

Present Perfect and Past Simple tenses We use the Past Simple tense to talk about a definite finished time in the past. For example: when, yesterday, last week, when I was at school, then, after etc.Examples I finished university three years ago. Where did we first meet? I didn't study French at school. We use the Present Perfect tense with time references that refer to the time up to now. For example: today, this week, this month, ever, never, already, recently, yet etc.ExamplesI haven't seen her today.Have you ever smoked a cigarette?I have never been abroad before.

Present Perfect and Past Simple - time references Exercise. Do we usually use the Present Perfect or the Past Simpletenses with the following time references? Top of Form

a long time ago

since we last met

yet

after I got married

lately

this month

the day before yesterday

last night

since last weekend

at the weekend

Bottom of Form Present Perfect and Past Simple - Practice Exercise. Chose the most suitable tense - the Present Perfect or the Past Simple.

Script for this exercise is provided by JavaScriptKit.comYou need to have cookies enabled in your browser to do this quiz. Top of Form She has studied very well at school. She studied very well at school. Have you ever visited Italy? Did you ever visit Italy? Thomas Edison has invented the light bulb. Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. How long have you had this job? How long did you have this job? I have never smoked a cigarette ever since. I didn't smoke a cigarette ever since. Charlie Chaplin has made a lot of films. Charlie Chaplin made a lot of films. When have you last been to the cinema? When did you last go to the cinema? It's the best car I've ever had. It's the best car I ever had. How many times have you been married? How many times were you married? We haven't had lunch yet. We didn't have lunch yet. Bottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of Form

Have To and Don't Have To - Use

We use have to to talk about strong obligation that comes from somewhere else, for example from you boss, you parents, a rule at school or work.Examples:

I have to be home by ten. (My parents told me so.)I must be home by ten. I have a very difficult day tomorrow. (It is my own decision.)

I have to get up early, because I start work at 8. (It is a rule.)I should get up early. (Now I stay in bed until lunchtime.) Don't have to means that there isn't any obligation at all,there is no need to do it.Don't have to is different from shouldn't and mustn't.Examples:

I don't have to get up early at weekend. (I can stay in bed as long as I want.)

You mustn't tell lies. (It is very bad to tell lies.)

You don't have to go with me. (You can go with me if you want to.)

You shouldn't smoke. (It is bad for your health.) In spoken British English you can also use have got to andhaven't got to.Examples:

Pamela is a waitress. She's got to work at weekends.Have I got to do it right now?I haven't got to take my sister to school, my parents do it.

Tip! We do not use have to when we talk about what is a good idea to do, but we don't doit yet. Instead, we use should.

Have To and Don't Have To - Practice

Exercise. Chose have to / has to or don't have to / doesn't have to.Top of Form1. Every man do military service in my country. It's obligatory. 2. When do we pay for the next term? 3. Policemen wear a uniform. 4. A pilot train for many years. 5. Does Susan work long hours? 6. I get up early on Sundays. I can stay in bed. 7. You have a visa to come to Ukraine. 8. You to do it if you don't want to. 9. My daughter to cook, because I cook for the whole family. 10. We pay. It's free. Bottom of Form

Have to & Have got to - Positives, Negatives, and Questions

Have to is a construction (structure). It is not a modal verb. We use auxiliary verbs do and does to form questions and negatives.Examples:

PositiveI have to work very unsociable hours.She has to wear a uniform.

NegativeI don't have to work at weekends.John doesn't have to do any work at home.

QuestionDo I have to pay in advance?Does your father have to travel a lot at his job? With have got to negatives and questions are formed differently.Examples:

PositiveI've got to work very unsociable hours.She's got to wear a uniform.

NegativeI haven't got to work at weekends.John hasn't got to do any work at home.

QuestionHave I got to pay in advance?Has you father got to travel a lot at his job?

Have To and Have Got To - Practice

Exercise. Click on the words in the correct order to makepositives, negatives and questions with have to / have got to and don'thaveto/haven'tgotto.Tip! If you have no idea what word should go next, you canclick on all the words one by one.1to Sorry, leave got I've but now.

2has up postman A to early. get

3I to phone answer calls. of have lots

4go a has diet. The she doctor says to on

5hate early. up to get having I

6have When to you home? do go

7six. there I've by be to got

8to has be a This mistake.

9to mad be here. to You have work

10fault. was have say I to it my

Should and Shouldn't - Use

We use should and shouldn't to give advice or to talk about what we think is right or wrong. You should means something like I think it is a good idea for you to do it. You shouldn't means something like I think it is a bad idea for you to do it. Should is used to express the opinion of a speaker and often follows I think or I don't think.

ExamplesYou look tired. I think you should take a few days off.

Alice works very long hours. She should to talk to her boss.

- I have an English test tomorrow.- I shouldn't worry if I were you. You have worked really hard.

- I never have enough money.- I don't think you should go out so much.

Should - Quick Grammar NoteTo give advice to someone you can also say: I should do it if I were you. I shouldn't be so rude, if I were you. When you regret not doing something in the past, you can say: I shouldn't have spoken to him like that. I should have apologized earlier.

Should or Shouldn't - Practice

Exercise. Chose should or shouldn't.Top of Form1. You be so selfish. 2. I don't think you smoke so much. 3. You exercise more. 4. I think you try to speak to her. 5. You are overweight. You go on a diet. 6. Where we park our car? 7. You never speak to your mother like this. 8. The kids spend so much time in front of the TV. 9. I tell her the truth or should I say nothing? 10. I think we reserve our holiday in advance. Bottom of Form

Should - Positives, Negatives, and Questions

Should is a modal verb like can or must.PositivesYou should take it easy.She should go to bed early.We should go somewhere exciting for our holiday.NegativesYou shouldn't get angry.He shouldn't work so much.I shouldn't do it if I were you.QuestionsShould we tell her the truth?What should I do?Shouldn't we try to finish it now?

Should and Shouldn't - Practice

Exercise. Click on the words in the correct order to makepositives, negatives and questions with should and shouldn't.Tip! If you have no idea what word should go next, you canclick on all the words one by one.1up should I smoking. give

2tell her Should or not? I

3think it easy. you should take I

4should time I What come?

5shouldn't work so much. Jeff

6don't accept I should job. Anita this think

7We should our take umbrellas.

8you do we should it? Are sure

9go What home. do is you should

10to I think police? you the Do should speak

Tip! We do not use shouldn't where there isn't any obligation at all.Instead we use don't have to or don't need to.